Left to right, MCC Dean of Career & Technical Education Jason Gee, KAMMA Chairman Scott Brackett, County Supervisor Travis Lingenfelter, Arizona Commerce Authority Vice President Keith Watkins, MCC President Dr. Stacy Klippenstein, County Supervisor Jean Bishop, County Economic Development Director Tami Ursenbach, Kingman City Manager Tim Walsh, Kingman Mayor Ken Watkins, Kingman Economic Development Executive Director Bennett Bratley, Senior Project Manager Tyler Bivins, Project Director Emerson Ward.
MOHAVE COUNTY — Mohave Community College (MCC) launched a new era for the college and the region, with the groundbreaking ceremony for the Advanced Manufacturing Training Center (AMTC) on June 18.
The event took place at the future home of the AMTC on Windrose Lane at the Kingman Airport Industrial Park. Approximately 50 people attended, including industry partners, along with city, county and state officials.
Governor Katie Hobbs sent a video message in which she emphasized the importance of the AMTC in boosting Arizona’s economic development.
“I’m so excited to see what this will do for our booming advanced manufacturing industry. This state-of-the-art facility is so much more than just a building, it represents the bright future that is possible for us all. I’m excited to see it get off the ground and congratulate everyone on your hard work getting it done. This is only the beginning,” said Governor Hobbs.
The AMTC, supported in partnership with the Arizona Commerce Authority, will be the first Future48 Workforce Accelerator in Northwest Arizona. This initiative is part of the Governor’s Future48 Workforce Accelerators program, which aims to ensure all Arizonans benefit from new opportunities being developed in the state’s workforce.
MCC’s AMTC is expected to help meet workforce needs, prepare students for high-demand, high-skill jobs and encourage economic prosperity in the region. The AMTC will be a 36,000-square-foot facility featuring a design lab, Simulated (SIM) and Virtual Reality (VR) lab, and a Business Incubator/Maker Space. It will be home to MCC Career and Technical Education Division programs such as HVAC, Welding, Electrical, Manufacturing and others.
“We are thrilled to be at the forefront of this historic workforce initiative,” said Dr. Stacy Klippenstein, President of MCC. “The AMTC will provide vital training and create a pipeline of highly skilled employees, supporting regional industries and communities.”
Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority, also highlighted the significance of the project.
“Today’s groundbreaking represents a significant milestone for Arizona workforce development,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “The Future48 Workforce Accelerator in Kingman will equip students with the skills needed for jobs in the advanced manufacturing industry while growing our skilled talent pipeline. We are grateful to Mohave Community College and all of our partners statewide for their support to make this Accelerator and all of the Future48 Workforce Accelerators possible.”
Mohave County Supervisor Travis Lingenfelter has been a vocal supporter of the AMTC and spoke about the value it brings to the region.
“This project is an essential piece of the puzzle for our growing cities and county and its economic base. It represent our collective commitment to a prosperous future,“ said Mohave County Supervisor Travis Lingenfelter.
The project is expected to be completed in time for training classes to begin in the Fall of 2025. The AMTC will offer credit, non-credit and apprenticeship programs in areas such as Workforce Readiness, Welding, Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Robotics, Hydraulics/Pneumatics, Mechanical Systems, Electrical Systems, and Manufacturing Fundamentals.
Key industry partners include NUCOR Steel, Air Control HVAC, Phoenix Truck Driving, Progressive Pipe Fabricators, Arizona Sommers Heating and Cooling, and the Kingman and Mohave Manufacturing Association (KAMMA). Additional partners include the Governor Hobbs and the State of Arizona, Arizona Commerce Authority, City of Kingman, Mohave County, ARIZONA@WORK, and WAVE-JTED.
The community’s enthusiasm and support for this initiative were evident at the groundbreaking ceremony, marking a significant milestone in the future of advanced manufacturing in Northwest Arizona.
